The effect of Stage I-II periodontitis on the mechanical, structural, and biological properties of leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the mechanical, biological, and structural properties of a leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) membrane in periodontally healthy patients and those with periodontitis. A total of 30 individuals (17 men and 13 women) with a median age of 41 years were divided into two groups as periodontally healthy (control group) and as having periodontitis (test group).

METHODOLOGY: Blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 2700 rpm for 12 minutes. A tensile test was performed to determine the mechanical properties of L-PRF membranes. Elasticity-modulus, tensile strength, and stretch at rupture were calculated. Platelet and leucocyte counts and ratios were calculated. Fibril thickness and density were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy imaging. The comparisons between groups were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test, and a p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: In the comparison of the control group versus the test group, pocket depth (3.55 (1.59-3.97) vs. 1.52 (1.47-3.53)), clinical attachment level (3.11 (1.77-4.23) vs. 0.06 (0.05-3.68)), plaque index (1.63 (0.05-1.75) vs. 0.04 (0.04-1.58)), gingival index (1.55 (0.04-1.63) vs. 0.05 (0.04-1.49)), and bleeding on probing (56.25 (3.7-70.11) vs. 3.57 (2.67-47.12)) were statistically significantly higher in the test group than in the control group (p= 0.009, p=0.008, p=0.008, p=0.009, p=0.009, respectively). Elasticity-modulus, tensile strength, and stretch at rupture values showed no statistically significantly differences between groups (p=0.745, p=0.754, p=0.602, respectively). Fibril thickness and density values showed no statistically significant differences between groups (p=1.000, p=0.753, respectively). Platelet count and platelet and leukocyte ratio values showed no statistically significant differences between groups (p=0.754, p=0.600, p=0.142, respectively). Leukocyte count was found to be statistically significantly higher in the control group than in the test group (p=0.028).

CONCLUSION: This study showed no effect of Stage I-II periodontitis on the mechanical, structural, and biological properties of L-PRF. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings.